The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is seeking to appoint a number of members to the Diploma in Geriatric Medicine (DGM) Question Writing Group.
The DGM is developed and delivered by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Assessment Unit on behalf of the RCP and British Geriatrics Society. The DGM examination currently takes place as one knowledge-based assessment (KBA) and two clinical assessment periods annually. The KBA is a three-hour, 100 single best answer, online assessment, whilst the clinical examination is a four station OSCE.
Remit
The Question Writing Group (QWG) has the responsibility for generating new questions and reviewing current content for the KBA. The group utilise the current DGM syllabus to ensure new and existing content is appropriate for use in the examination.
The QWG’s work will include (but is not limited to):
- Generating new content that is appropriate for the KBA, in line with the DGM syllabus and relevant style guide
- Generating content relevant to the care of older people from across a range of healthcare settings
- Ensuring content flagged for review by the DGM exam board or DGM Question Paper Review Group remains clinically relevant, amending questions as appropriate
- Ensuring scenarios test knowledge in line with current guidelines across all four nations of the United Kingdom.
Benefits
We offer the opportunity to network with colleagues, keep your knowledge up to date, take part in challenging discussions, be involved with the next generation of healthcare professionals working with older people, promote multidisciplinary working and continuing professional development.
By getting involved you can shape the future of the DGM KBA.
This is a non-salaried position, though all reasonable expenses and travel costs will be met by the Education Department in line with the RCP expenses policy.
The tenure of the appointment is three years, and renewable after review by the DGM KBA Lead and (in respect of continuing eligibility) by the RCP Assessment Unit 1. Extensions of tenure may also be approved in cases of long-term absence (illness or maternity leave, for example), or to ensure orderly succession planning. Any extensions will be at the discretion of the RCP Assessment Unit.
All successful applicants will be required to sign non-disclosure and code of conduct agreements.
1 Decisions on the renewal of membership may be referred to the DGM Senior Examiner where appropriate
Time commitment
The group will meet regularly throughout the year via half-day meetings, conducted virtually. Members would be expected to attend a minimum of two full days over a rolling two-year period.
Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply:
1. Hold current statutory registration with the relevant regulator - normally the General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health & Care Professions’ Council (HCPC) 2.
2. Be in good standing with their regulatory body.
3. Be actively employed in the United Kingdom.
4. Be able to demonstrate the following level of clinical experience:
a. Doctors should hold MRCP(UK)/MRCGP/MRCPsych (or equivalent) and be working as a consultant, senior specialty trainee or other specialty doctor in Geriatric Medicine, an old age psychiatrist or a general practitioner. Working with older people should account for a significant proportion of both their current clinical workload and clinical workload over the last two years.
b. Advanced clinical practitioners should have completed a relevant qualification (a masters degree or equivalent). Working with older people should account for a significant proportion of both their current clinical workload and clinical workload over the last two years since obtaining advanced practitioner status.
c. Physician associates should have completed a relevant qualification (a masters degree or equivalent). Working with older people should account for a significant proportion of both their current clinical workload and clinical work over the last four years.
5. Be actively engaged in the training of junior practitioners to provide high quality person-centred care for older people.
6. Be up to date as appropriate with relevant national guidelines, CPD requirements, employer’s equality and diversity training and appraisal process.
Previous experience of writing and reviewing examination content is desirable but is not a mandatory requirement.
2 Physician Associates who are members of the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) will be accepted until December 2026, after which time they must hold GMC registration
How to apply
Applicants should note the anticipated time commitment in terms of attendance before applying.
Applications for the post, including a CV and short statement outlining your suitability for the post should be submitted via Assessment.Unit@rcp.ac.uk with ‘DGM Question Writing Group’ as the subject heading. This is an ongoing recruitment process which will be reviewed regularly and may close without prior notice. Those interested in the advertised role are advised to apply as soon as possible.
For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Steven Ansty, Head of Development & Standards on the above email address, or via 0151 318 1888.
The RCP positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.